Three-time Formula 1 world champion Jackie Stewart believes Nico Rosberg can use his first pole position of the season at Barcelona to be the springboard to winning races and take the title fight to Lewis Hamilton.

Speaking after Rosberg scored his first pole since Abu Dhabi last year, Stewart said it will help the German’s state of mind immensely after a poor start to the season.

“Nico can do it,” said Stewart. “He was very clean on his lap, no spectacular nonsense, and he kinda deserves it now, he’s been the second man too often almost.

“It can be very depressing to suddenly be beaten by your teammate in a consistent way, which has been happening with Lewis.

“And now, if he cracks on with it, he can win races."

Stewart says the mental side of driving is key to winning the battle against your teammate.

“The most important thing is mind management," he added. "Being able to get your head clear and not to be distracted, not to over-drive, not to over-try.

"Because when you do that, you don’t give the car the best opportunity to do what it can do, you’re forcing it into things.

“If he drivers that car sweetly, keeps his head together and doesn’t run off the road, he can win this race.”